State owned mining investment vehicle ZCCM-Investment Holdings PLC on 22 February capitalized its Kariba amethyst mine with mining equipment worth K6 million. The equipment included two tipper trucks, one excavator and one front end loader. Kariba is Zambia’s largest amethyst mine located in Mapatyizya district of its southern province. The mine has been operational for 60 years.
The amethyst from the mine has so far set the standard for amethyst excellence internationally, due to its unparalleled deep purple hue, combined with exceptional lustre.
Mabvuto Chipata
The company’s market share has been estimated at over 90% of the amethyst originating from Zambia, with production reaching as much as 800 tonnes of commercial grade amethyst per annum, making it one of the largest producers in the world.
Chipata in his speech said ZCCM-IH is in the process of finalizing the USD$3 million purchase of Gemfields recently held 50% shareholding in Kariba Minerals which will make the investment vehicle 100% owner of the amethyst mine. The capital investment was made to aid in the increase of semi-precious gemstones with the aim of opening up new pits at the mine before a more comprehensive strategic business plan is implemented.
Chipata’ s team will implement a strong monitoring mechanism and a more active ZCCM-IH’s technical directorate at the mine which will include the design and implementation of optimal mine plans that will ensure increased production and reduced costs among others.
“I would like to implore Kariba Minerals management and staff to make use of this equipment efficiently in order to improve production,” he said.
And speaking on behalf of Kariba Minerals, the General Manager Mr. Peter Phiri, says of the ten pits at the mine, only one has been operational due to insufficient equipment.
The investment will push the mine an extra mile allowing it to be the leading supplier of amethyst on the global market. Of the 10 pits available in Mapatizya, only 1 has been operational due to insufficient equipment. The additional equipment is expected to boost Kariba’s production performance, improve its productivity and enable the mine to expand its mining operations. This development is expected to help improve the livelihoods of the people of Mapatizya through creation jobs and ensuring mining sustainability.
With this new equipment, our target is to increase production to 2,000 tonnes of commercial grade amethyst from the current average of 800 tonnes, and 20,000 tonnes of production ore from about 12, 000 tonnes in the next 2 years.
Kariba Minerals General Manager – Peter Phiri
Kariba Minerals produces some of the world’s finest quality amethyst with the company’s global market share estimated at over 90% of the amethyst originating from Zambia.